Support for a book or an electronic tablet

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable support for a book is disclosed that is made of stiff panels pivotably connected to one another and capable of adopting different configurations, which include a tabletop lectern configuration, a bookrest configuration and a compact configuration for storage and transportation. These multiple configurations are configured for specific uses.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright or trade dress protection. This patentdocument may show and/or describe matter that is or may become tradedress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objectionto the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, butotherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to UK Patent Application No.GB2010040.0 filed on Jul. 1, 2020, entitled “Support for a Book”, thecontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a support for a book or an electronictablet.

BACKGROUND

Different types of supports are currently available. A first type,herein referred to as a bookrest, enables a book or tablet to besupported in a plane inclined to the horizontal with its lower edgeresting on a desktop, or other horizontal surface. When reading whilesitting at a desk, or watching a video on a tablet, the book or tabletis angled by the support to make it visible without the reader or viewerhaving to lean over the desk. Such bookrests are often collapsible andin the case of tablets may serve additionally as a protective cover forthe tablet. Some bookrests also enable the angle of inclination to beadjusted.

A second type of support, herein referred to as a tabletop lectern, isintended for use by a person standing next to a table and its primaryfunction is to raise the level of the book or tablet above the level ofthe tabletop to bring it closer to the reader's eyes. Lecterns are oftenmade of wood and are more substantially constructed than bookrests, asthey must support the entire weight of the book or tablet, not justprevent it from toppling.

In religious establishments, congregants commonly read from prayer booksand would always prefer not to have to support their weight.Furthermore, at different times in religious services, congregants maybe called upon either to sit or to stand.

The present invention seeks therefore to provide a support that can beused both when a person is sitting in front of a table or desk or whenstanding next to it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure teaches a support for a book, including arectangular back panel, a top panel connected by a first top hinge to anupper edge of the back panel, the top panel being formed of a first toppanel section connected by the first top hinge to the back panel and asecond top panel section connected to an upper edge of the first panelsection by a second top hinge that extends parallel to the first tophinge, and at least one side panel each connected to a side edge of theback panel by a corresponding side hinge that extends transversely tothe first top hinge, such that the support is configured to transitionbetween a compact configuration for storage, a lectern configuration,and a bookrest configuration, wherein in the compact configuration, eachof the panels lies in a plane parallel to each of the other panels so asto minimize the longitudinal and lateral space occupied by the support,wherein in the lectern configuration, when the support is placed on atabletop, the back panel and each of the at least one side panel aredisposed in upright planes, relative to the tabletop, that are inclinedto one another and the top panel is disposed in a plane parallel to thetabletop, so that both sections of the top panel rest on an upper edgeof each of the at least one side panel, wherein in the bookrestconfiguration, when the support is placed on a tabletop, the back panelis disposed in a plane parallel to that of the tabletop and the sectionsof the top panel are hinged relative to one another and relative to theback panel, to permit the second panel section to serve as a supportsurface for supporting a book in a plane inclined to the plane of thetabletop, when a free edge of the top panel rests on the back panel or aside panel.

In an embodiment, clips are provided on at least one panel to permitpanels to be secured to one another in at least one of theconfigurations.

In an embodiment, the top panel features a protrusion to prevent a bookfrom sliding off the support in the lectern configuration. In anembodiment, the back panel or at least one side panel features aprotrusion or groove to act as a stop, in order to prevent the top panelfrom sliding in the bookrest configuration. In other embodiments, theback panel or at least one side panel has a plurality of protrusions orgrooves for enabling the inclination of the top panel to be adjusted inthe bookrest configuration.

In an embodiment, the support comprises two side panels each connectedby a corresponding side hinge to a respective side edge of the backpanel.

In an embodiment, at least one of the at least one side panel comprisestwo sections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel bythe corresponding side hinge, and a second side panel section connectedto a side edge of the first side panel section by a first side sectionhinge parallel to the corresponding side hinge. In another embodiment,one of the at least one side panel comprises three side panel sections,a first side panel section connected to the back panel by thecorresponding side hinge, a second side panel section connected to aside edge of the first side panel section by a first side section hingeparallel to the corresponding side hinge, and a third side panel sectionconnected to a side edge of the second side panel section by a secondside section hinge parallel to both the first side section hinge and thecorresponding side hinge, which in the lectern configuration, define inconjunction with the back panel a triangular support base for the toppanel, and wherein two panels or panel sections overlap one another todefine one of the sides of the triangular support base. Preferably, theoverlapping panel or panel sections each further comprise magnets so asto magnetically connect to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention in anunfolded configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention in anunfolded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention in anunfolded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention in anunfolded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the invention in anunfolded configuration.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the invention in anunfolded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a support for a book comprising a top panel made up to twotop panel sections 10 a, 10 b, a back panel 14, a side panel 16 andvarious hinges 12 a, 12 b and 12 c joining the panels. As will bedescribed below, the support can be folded about the hinges to adoptthree configurations, namely a compact configuration for transportationor storage, a lectern configuration for viewing a book whilst standing,and a bookrest configuration for viewing a book whilst seated.

In the compact configuration, top panel sections 10 a and 10 b aretogether pivoted about hinge 12 a and lie parallel to the back panel 14with the front face of the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b facing thefront face of the back panel 14. The side panel 16 may then be pivotedabout hinge 12 b so that its front face faces the rear face of the toppanel sections 10 a and 10 b. The hinge 12 b may be at least as wide asthe thickness of the top panel section 10 b to allow all panels to lieparallel with each other.

The combined length of the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b ispreferably equal to the length of the back panel 14, but this is notessential as it is also possible for the combined length of the toppanel sections to be shorter or longer than the back panel 14. In thecase where the top panel is longer than the back panel 14, sections 10 aand 10 b of the top panel may be folded about the hinge 12 c in thecompact configuration in which case the width of the hinge 12 b may needto be increased.

The support may be held in its compact configuration by various methods,including magnets, a separate band or sleeve, clips, snap fasteners, azip, or hook and loop fasteners.

A primary lectern configuration allows the user to view a book whilststanding, with the support resting on a tabletop. In such aconfiguration, the back panel 14 is placed in an upright position andprevented from toppling forward by folding the side panel 16 about thehinge 12 b to a position wherein the planes of the back and side panels14, 16 form an angle of approximately 90°. The top panel section 10 b ispivoted about hinge 12 c so that the rear faces of the two top panelsections lie against one another. The front face of the top panelsection 10 a is then rested on the top edges of the back panel 14 andthe side panel 16 to provide a surface on which a book may be supportedin a plane higher than that of the tabletop. The top panel section 10 bmay feature a protrusion 18 on its bottom edge, adjacent the hinge 12C,extending at least partially across its width. Such a protrusion is usedas a stop, to prevent a book from sliding off the top section 10 a. Asan alternative, the front surface of the top section 10 a may be made ofa non-slip silicone material.

To ensure the stability of the support in the lectern configuration,clips may be provided on the front surface of the top panel section 10 ato engage with the top edge of the side panel 16. Similarly, otherfixing methods may be used, including grooves, magnets or hook and loopfasteners.

In addition to the primary lectern configuration, a way of providing asecondary lectern configuration in the illustrated embodiment would beto stand the back panel 14 on its free side edge, to use the top panelsections 10 b and 10 b to prevent the back panel 14 from topplingforward and to rest the side panel 16 on the upper edges of the toppanel sections 10 a and 10 b. The secondary lectern configurationdiffers from the primary lectern configuration in that the spacing ofthe book from the tabletop is determined by the width of the back panel14 rather than its length.

To provide a bookrest configuration, with the back panel 14 lying on orparallel to a tabletop, the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b are pivotedabout hinges 12 a and 12 c in order to form a triangle between the toppanel sections 10 and 10 b and the back panel 14, with the front facesof the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b facing the interior of thetriangle. In this configuration, the rear face of top panel section 10 bmay act to support a book in plane inclined to the plane of the backpanel 14 and the tabletop. The top or free edge of the top panel section10 b may be prevented from sliding relative to the front face of theback panel 14 (or the rear face of the side panel 16, by engagement inslots defined by further protrusions 20 provided on the face of therelevant panel. The provision of several protrusions 20, as illustrated,permits adjustment of the inclination of the top panel section 10 b.

As an alternative to protrusions 20, the back panel 14 or the rear faceof the side panel 16 may be formed with one or more grooves or slots toreceive the free edge of the top panel section 10 b. The hinge 12 bpermits the side panel 16 to be folded to overlie the back panel 14, tolie between the back panel 14 and the tabletop, when the support is inthe bookrest configuration.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in the remaining figures, toavoid unnecessary repetition, like parts have been allocated referencenumeral with the same last two digits and with the first digit dependenton the embodiment.

In the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 3 , two side panels 116 a and116 b are used to improve the stability of the support in the lecternconfiguration. One of the hinges 112 b, 112 d connecting the back panel114 to the side panels 116 a, 116 b may be wider than the other to allowthe support to neatly fold into its compact configuration with allpanels lying parallel to each other. As in the first embodiment, theside panels 116 a and 116 b may be folded behind or in front of the backpanel 114 in the bookrest configuration.

In the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 , the sidepanels are as wide as the back panel but are each divided into two panelsections so that in addition to the side panel sections 216 a, 216 b ofthe second embodiment two further panel sections 216 c and 216 d areprovided. This further strengthens the structure in the lecternconfiguration in that the top section 210 a will then be supported abouta major part of its perimeter by the top edges side panel sections. Thiswould allow the lectern to support a heavier book.

In this third embodiment, hinges 212 b, 212 d, 212 e and 212 f may besufficiently wide to allow the support to be folded into its compactconfiguration for storage or transportation. As in the first embodiment,side panels 216 a, 216 b, 216 c and 216 d may be folded behind, or infront of, the back panel 214 in order to save space when the support isin its bookrest configuration.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , a side panel is provided ononly one side of the back panel 314 and it is formed of two panelsections 316 a and 316 b connected to one another by a hinge 321 d.

In the bookrest configuration, the side panel sections 316 a and 316 bare folded about the hinge 321 d so that either of the front faces ortheir rear faces contact one another, and the two sections are togetherfolded about the hinge 312 b to lie under the back panel 314.

In the compact configuration, the two top panel sections 310 a, 310 bare folded about the hinge 312 a to overlie the back panel 314 and theside panel sections are first folded about the hinge 312 d to over oneanother and then together folded about the hinge 312 b to overlie therear surface of the top panel sections 310 a and 310 b.

Last, in the lectern configuration, the side panel sections 316 a and316 b are folded about the hinges 312 b and 312 d to bring the free edgeof the side panel section 316 b into contact with the side edge of theback panel 314 to form a base of triangular section. With the panels ofthe base resting upright on a horizontal tabletop, the top panelsections can be folded about the hinge 312 a so that the front face ofthe top panel section 310 a rests on the upper edges of the side panelsections 316 a and 316 b. The top panel section 310 b may then be foldedabout the hinge 312 c so that its rear face contacts the rear face ofthe top panel section 310 a, in which position a book can rest on itsfront surface.

The fifth embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 6 differs from theembodiment of FIG. 5 by the addition of a side panel section 416 cconnected by a hinge to the free side edge of the back panel 414. As isthe embodiment of FIG. 5 , the top panel section 410 a rests in thelectern configuration on a base having three sides, formed by the backpanel 414 and the upper edges of the two side panel sections 416 a and416 b, but in this case, for additional stability, the side panelsection 416 c is folded to lie parallel to the side panel section 416 band is secured to it, preferably by means of at least one magnet.

The sixth embodiment, shown in FIG. 7 , is a variant of that shown inFIG. 5 and differs from it in that the additional side panel section 516c is connected by a hinge to the side panel section 516 b instead ofbeing connected to the back panel 514. In this case, in the lecternposition, the additional side panel section 516 c rests against, andpreferably magnetically connected to, the back panel 514.

In all embodiments described, methods as have been described above maybe used to prevent panel or panel sections from moving relative to oneanother in all configurations.

The panels and panel sections of the support may be manufactured fromany material able to withstand the load of a book or tablet in both thebook rest and the lectern configurations without collapsing or buckling.The hinges 12 are not load bearing in any configuration and may be madefrom any flexible material, such as a woven fabric or plastics sheeting.The support may thus be made of stiff boards of any suitable material(e.g. plastics, metal, fibreboard or card) covered in a flexiblematerial (e.g. fabric, plastics sheeting, real or faux leather) that canalso serve as the hinges.

As an alternative, the entire support can be moulded in one piece of aplastics material with the hinges constructed as so-called live hinges.

It will be seen that in all the described embodiments, the inventionprovides a reconfigurable support for a book that can serve both as alectern and as a bookrest and that can furthermore adopt a compactconfiguration for storage and transportation.

While described above by reference to books, it will be appreciated thatthe support may also be used to support an electronic tablet or anyother objection. For example, in the lectern configuration it may beused to support a laptop computer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support for a book, comprising: a rectangularback panel, a top panel connected by a first top hinge to an upper edgeof the back panel, the top panel being formed of a first top panelsection connected by the first top hinge to the back panel and a secondtop panel section connected to an upper edge of the first panel sectionby a second top hinge that extends parallel to the first top hinge, andat least one side panel each connected to a side edge of the back panelby a corresponding side hinge that extends transversely to the first tophinge, such that the support is configured to transition between acompact configuration for storage, a lectern configuration, and abookrest configuration, wherein in the compact configuration, each ofthe panels lies in a plane parallel to each of the other panels so as tominimize the longitudinal and lateral space occupied by the support,wherein in the lectern configuration, when the support is placed on atabletop, the back panel and each of the at least one side panel aredisposed in upright planes, relative to the tabletop, that are inclinedto one another and the top panel is disposed in a plane parallel to thetabletop, so that both sections of the top panel rest on an upper edgeof each of the at least one side panel, wherein in the bookrestconfiguration, when the support is placed on a tabletop, the back panelis disposed in a plane parallel to that of the tabletop and the sectionsof the top panel are hinged relative to one another and relative to theback panel, to permit the second panel section to serve as a supportsurface for supporting a book in a plane inclined to the plane of thetabletop, when a free edge of the top panel rests on the back panel or aside panel.
 2. The support of claim 1, wherein clips are provided on atleast one panel to permit panels to be secured to one another in atleast one of the configurations.
 3. The support of claim 1, wherein thetop panel features a protrusion to prevent a book from sliding off thesupport in the lectern configuration.
 4. The support of claim 1, whereinthe back panel or at least one side panel features a protrusion orgroove to act as a stop, in order to prevent the top panel from slidingin the bookrest configuration.
 5. The support of claim 4, wherein theback panel or at least one side panel has a plurality of protrusions orgrooves for enabling the inclination of the top panel to be adjusted inthe bookrest configuration.
 6. The support of claim 1, wherein thesupport comprises two side panels each connected by a corresponding sidehinge to a respective side edge of the back panel.
 7. The support ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one side panel, comprisestwo sections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel bythe corresponding side hinge, and a second side panel section connectedto a side edge of the first side panel section by a first side sectionhinge parallel to the corresponding side hinge.
 8. The support of claim1, wherein one of the at least one side panel comprises three side panelsections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel by thecorresponding side hinge, a second side panel section connected to aside edge of the first side panel section by a first side section hingeparallel to the corresponding side hinge, and a third side panel sectionconnected to a side edge of the second side panel section by a secondside section hinge parallel to both the first side section hinge and thecorresponding side hinge, which in the lectern configuration, define inconjunction with the back panel a triangular support base for the toppanel, and wherein two panels or panel sections overlap one another todefine one of the sides of the triangular support base.
 9. The supportof claim 8, wherein the overlapping panel or panel sections each furthercomprise magnets so as to magnetically connect to one another.